Usage of Fermental Traps for the Study of the Species Diversity of Coleoptera

2021

Diversity

Self Cite

Studies on the vertical distribution of arthropods in temperate forests have revealed the uneven vertical distribution of communities. Many factors influence these patterns simultaneously. However, there are still many questions related to the vertical distribution of Coleoptera in deciduous forests of the temperate zone. The research was carried out within the territory of the Republic of Mordovia (the center of the European part of Russia). Fermental traps with a bait made of fermenting beer with sugar were used to collect Coleoptera. The collections were carried out from May to September 2020 at five sites in a deciduous forest. We set traps at a height of 1.5, 3.5, 7.5 and 12 m above the ground) on the branches of trees. Ninety-two species were identified at the end of studies at different heights. The families Nitidulidae (15 species), Cerambycidae (14 species), Elateridae (7 species), Curculionidae (7 species) and Scarabaeidae (7 species) had the greatest species diversity. The greatest species diversity was recorded at a height of 1.5 m, while the smallest one was recorded at a height of 7.5 m. The minimum number of specimens was recorded at a height of 12 m. The largest differences in the Jaccard similarity index were obtained between samples from a height of 1.5 and 12 m. The Shannon’s diversity index was higher near the ground than in the tree crowns (at heights of 7.5 and 12 m), and the Simpson index had the opposite tendency. Glischrochilus hortensis and to a lesser extent Cychramus luteus preferred to live in the lowest layers of deciduous forest (1.5 m). Cryptarcha strigata was mainly found with relatively high numbers at heights of 3.5 m and 7.5 m. The abundance and occurrence of Protaetia marmorata and Quedius dilatatus were higher in the uppermost layers of the crowns. The number of saproxylic beetle species at heights of 3.5–12 m was almost the same, while in the surface layer it decreased. The number of anthophilic beetle species was also lower at a low altitude. Our data confirm the relevance of sampling in forest ecosystems at different altitudes while studying arthropod biodiversity.

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 75%

Vertical Stratification of Beetles in Deciduous Forest Communities in the Centre of European Russia

2021

Diversity

Self Cite

“…According to our observations, it appears on flowering plants in mid-May and occurs until September [82]; unpublished information]. It often falls into beer traps [83]. Thus, the first appearance of individuals of this species (20 May) in traps is quite logical.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 91%

Vertical Stratification and Seasonal Dynamics of Coleoptera in Open Biotopes of Forest Ecosystems (Centre of European Russia)

2022

Forests

Self Cite

There are few studies on the vertical distribution and seasonal activity of arthropods in open habitats (in glades) in temperate forests due to methodological problems associated with the arrangement of certain structures for trapping. However, glades in forests are places of significant biodiversity of native animals, which are attracted to such areas by the possibilities of nutrition, reproduction, and wintering. The research was carried out on the territory of the Republic of Mordovia (the center of the European part of Russia). Fermental traps (bait—fermenting beer with sugar) were used to collect Coleoptera. They were installed on a special structure at heights of 2, 4, 6, 8, and 10 m. The collections were carried out from May to October 2020 in a glade with an area of 0.93 hectares in a deciduous forest. At the end of the research, 745 specimens of 80 species were registered from 30 Coleoptera families. The greatest species diversity was recorded in Nitidulidae (11 species), Cerambycidae (10 species), Scarabaeidae (7 species), Elateridae, Coccinellidae, and Curculionidae (5 species each). The greatest species diversity (53 species) and numerical abundance were obtained at a height of 2 m, and the smallest one (16 species) at a height of 10 m. The largest differences in the Jaccard similarity index were obtained between samples from a height of 2 and 10 m. The maximum values of the Shannon index and the minimum values of the Simpson index were recorded at the height of 2 m. The most significant relative number of saproxylic species was obtained at a height of 4 m. The relative number of anthophilic species was minimal at a height of 10 m. The seasonal dynamics of Coleoptera abundance were the same at different heights and the highest abundance was observed in late May and early June. However, the seasonal dynamics were different for some Coleoptera species in the glade located and inside the forest. Our data confirm the relevance of sampling in open biotopes at different heights in the study of arthropod biodiversity.

“…Rhagium mordax is one of the most common species in the Republic of Mordovia 86 , 87 . Nevertheless, it has been found only in seven study plots, with the highest number of specimens in the control (unburned) plots UB1 and UB2.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Post-fire insect fauna explored by crown fermental traps in forests of the European Russia

MacGowan

et al. 2021

Sci Rep

Wildfires considerably affect forest ecosystems. However, there is a lack of data on the post-fire status of insect communities in these ecosystems. This paper presents results of a study conducted in 2019 which considered the post-fire status of the insect fauna in a Protected Area, Mordovia State Nature Reserve (Republic of Mordovia, centre of European Russia), considered as regional hotspot of insect diversity in Mordovia. We sampled insects on intact (unburned, control) and fire-damaged (burnt in 2010) sites and compared the alpha-diversity between sites. In total, we sampled and analysed 16,861 specimens belonging to 11 insect orders, 51 families and 190 species. The largest orders represented in the samples were Coleoptera (95 species), Diptera (54 species), Hymenoptera (21 species), and Neuroptera (11 species). Other insect orders were represented by between one and four species. The largest four orders (Coleoptera, Lepidoptera, Diptera and Hymenoptera) represented 96.7% of all studied specimens. We found that in the ninth year after low intensity surface fire damage, the insect diversity had returned to a similar level to that of the control (unburned) sites. Sites damaged by crown wildfire differed considerably from other sites in terms of a negative impact on both species diversity and the number of specimens. This indicates the serious effect of the crown fires on the biodiversity and consequent long-term recovery of the damaged ecosystem.